Spoiler for a snowboard binding

ABSTRACT

A spoiler for a snowboard binding, comprising a shell adapted to be pivoted, at a lower region thereof, to a base plate of a snowboard binding, the shell having a plurality of cuts which extend from lateral edges of the shell to an internal region of the shell, in order to give flexibility to the shell.

The present invention relates to a spoiler for a snowboard binding. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to a spoiler for a snowboard bindingof the soft type.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is known, in the snowboard field, bindings of the “soft” type are bynow widespread and have become substantially a sort of standard for theboards used for non-technical disciplines, i.e., other than slalom anddownhill racing.

Snowboard bindings of the soft type have a base plate, adapted to beconnected to the board, on which the boot of the user must rest, and aspoiler, connected to the base plate, which usually can be adjusted inthe inclination position, in order to allow the user to rest the calfpart when performing backside maneuvers.

Basically, the general function of a spoiler for a snowboard binding isto ensure adequate support during exercise, mainly when pressure isapplied with the rear part of the legs in a direction at right angles tothe board itself, adapted to make the board turn or in order to keepone's balance after landing from a jump or a maneuver.

In order to allow attachment of the support to the user, spoilers arecurrently designed by taking into account the repeated loads andstresses to which they are subjected, and therefore most currentlycommercially available spoilers do act as a support but also often havean excessively rigid structure and in many cases contrast the naturalmovement of the legs of the person using the board, becoming thereforean element of inconvenience for more natural surfing.

Spoilers are currently commercially available which are made of softmaterials, so as to be more flexible than spoilers made of rigidmaterials, but this has the drawback of not providing adequate supportwhen loaded with the weight of the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to provide a spoiler for a snowboardbinding that solves the drawbacks cited above, providing a suitablesupport to the user on the one hand and on the other hand being suitablyflexible according to the requirements of the user.

Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide aspoiler for a snowboard binding that can be deformed to an extent neededto follow the rotational and natural movements of the legs, while notcreating constraints or small resistances.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a spoiler for asnowboard binding that takes into account the differences in forceapplied with the legs in the inner part and in the outer part.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a spoiler for asnowboard binding that is highly reliable, relatively simple to provideand has competitive costs.

This aim and these and other objects that will become more apparenthereinafter are achieved by a spoiler for a snowboard binding,comprising a shell adapted to be pivoted, at a lower region thereof, toa base plate of a snowboard binding, characterized in that said shellhas a plurality of cuts which extend from lateral edges of the shell toan internal region of the shell, in order to give flexibility to theshell.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become moreapparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusiveembodiment of the spoiler according to the present invention,illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the spoiler according to the presentinvention applied to a snowboard binding;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the spoiler according to theinvention applied to a snowboard binding; and

FIG. 3 is a lateral elevation view of the spoiler according to theinvention applied to a snowboard binding.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the figures, the spoiler according to the invention,generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises a shellportion 2 with a lower region 3 shaped so as to adapt to a base plate 10of a snowboard binding and be therefore pivoted to the base plate, bymeans of holes 4.

The spoiler extends upward from the lower region 3 and has a shell 2shaped so as to adapt to the calf of the user.

The spoiler is provided monolithically.

Conveniently, the spoiler 1 is provided so as to have a greaterthickness at the lower region 3, i.e., a rigid region, and the thicknessdecreases as one progresses upward with the lower thickness provided atthe upper end 5 of the spoiler.

The particularity of the invention resides in the fact that it provides,at the part of the spoiler that is designed to make contact with thecalf of the user, a plurality of cuts formed preferably radially,starting from a region arranged proximate to the lower region 3 to aregion arranged proximate to the upper end 5 of the spoiler.

Conveniently, the radial cuts, designated by the reference numeral 6,increase in size as one moves away from the lower region 3 of thespoiler 1.

The cut 6 that lies closest to the lower region 3 is the shortest cutand the cut 6 arranged proximate to the upper end 5 of the spoiler isthe longest.

The cuts 6 enter the structure of the spoiler, stopping proximate to aregion that is adjacent to the axis of symmetry of the spoiler, so thatthe supporting structure remains intact and can ensure correct supportof the rear thrust.

The cuts 6 free the outer parts of the spoiler and therefore allow it tobe deformed. The different lengths of the cuts 6 allow moving thespoiler more gradually starting from the lower region 3, which mustremain as integral as possible with the base of the binding, while it isimportant that as one moves toward the upper part of the spoiler saidpart becomes softer and follows the rotational movement of the legs,without however losing the support of the rear thrust.

Essentially, the spoiler according to the invention allows adequatesupport for the rear part of the legs when one is leaning to curve or tokeep one's balance, but at the same time it leaves greater freedom ofmovement and/or does not create pressure points on the legs when onewishes to perform other maneuvers that involve the rotation of the legs.

The size of the cuts affects this last characteristic of flexibility.

Conveniently, the cuts 6 can be arranged so as to be inclined toward theinternal part of the foot. Thus, for example, the spoiler designated byway of example in the figures is a spoiler for the right foot and thecuts are provided with an inclination from the right toward the left soas to be angled toward the internal part of the foot.

In practice it has been found that the spoiler according to the presentinvention fully achieves the intended aim and objects, because it can berigid at the base region, which is adapted to be connected to the baseportion of the binding, but at the same time it is suitably flexible toadapt to rotations of the legs.

The spoiler thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications andvariations, all of which are within the scope of the accompanyingclaims; all the details may further be replaced with other technicallyequivalent elements.

In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes anddimensions, may be any according to the requirements and the state ofthe art.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. MI2012A000068 fromwhich this application claims priority are incorporated herein byreference.

What is claimed is:
 1. A spoiler for a snowboard binding, comprising ashell adapted to be pivoted, at a lower region thereof, to a base plateof a snowboard binding, wherein said shell has a plurality of cuts whichextend from lateral edges of the shell to an internal region of theshell, in order to give flexibility to the shell.
 2. The spoileraccording to claim 1, wherein said cuts are arranged radially.
 3. Thespoiler according to claim 1, wherein said cuts increase in size as onemoves away from the lower region of the spoiler and approaches the upperend of the spoiler.
 4. The spoiler according to claim 1, wherein saidcuts are arranged radially and are inclined so as to be angled towardthe internal region of the user's foot when said user puts on thebinding provided with said spoiler.